Ireland is exploring the possibility of establishing its own timezone as an alternative to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). The National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) is leading this discussion at today’s inaugural Time and Sync Forum in Dublin.
Key points:
- Proposal aims to give Ireland more control over its timing infrastructure
- Forum brings together experts from Ireland, UK, and European Commission
- Initiative follows launch of Ireland’s National Timing Grid in 2023
- Focus is on critical infrastructure timing needs
The NSAI emphasizes that precise timing is crucial for modern economies, contributing to over 10% of Europe’s annual GDP through position, navigation, and timing (PNT) services.
NSAI technical manager David Fleming notes that self-sufficiency in timing infrastructure is increasingly important, particularly during periods of technological change. The forum aims to determine timing requirements across various sectors while maintaining international alignment.
According to The Journal, the discussion takes place against the backdrop of growing emphasis on national timing independence and infrastructure resilience.